A round-up of queer-related entertainment and happenings in Thailand
BEING POSITIVE
HIV and Aids are two different things, and still not many people actually know the difference. Our image of those suffering from Aids are of people full of boiling blisters, lying on their deathbed with no chance of living a normal life. This image has been reproduced over and over in Thai lakorn, even recent ones.
Seeking to correct these images on television is the queer-produced Diary Of Tootsies, and previously Hormones 3 (both belonging to GTH studio, now rebranded GDH 559). In Hormones 3, we saw Pala, a high schoolboy who's been living with HIV for as long as he can remember. But in Diary Of Tootsies, Golf -- a grown-up "tootsie", or effeminate gay man -- has just received a positive result on his blood test and has to break the news to his mother and his friends.
The series' co-screenwriter Thachpacha Setthachai stated on Facebook that making a main character HIV-positive doesn't mean they're planning to kill the character off or looking to end the show.
"HIV is not the end of life. It's not [like] you have to die within a few episodes!" wrote Thachpacha.
The writer continued: "Life goes on. People move on. HIV is just a disease you take medication to control, like diabetes."
Many lakorn have their characters suffer from HIV and Aids and then die a horrible death as the result of bad deeds done. That may teach a lesson on karma but, unintentionally (or not), it paints an inaccurate image of those who live with the disease in real life. These people do live among us, and their lives carry on as they continue to nurture their health.
It will be interesting to see what exactly the show does with its HIV-positive character. It's already shown friends and family being supportive of Golf's condition. We'll have to wait and see how his fate turns out in the long run.
A scene from Gay OK Bangkok.
SAY OKAY
Diary Of Tootsies is not the only Thai series with gay men as main characters, nor is it the only one portraying the issue of HIV and Aids. As an alternative for viewers who prefer something more low-key, quiet and brooding, Trasher Bangkok, the popular party organiser and video producer, and Test BKK, an organisation that advocates on behalf of HIV testing, are now presenting a short online series called Gay OK Bangkok, currently on YouTube. Viewers agree it's a much more realistic portrayal of gay men's lifestyles, especially when compared to the mostly comical Diary Of Tootsies.
While the tootsies are raking in millions of views with their amped-up stereotypes and catchy phrases, Gay OK Bangkok -- while a much-lesser-known series -- tells the tales of lives that aren't too polished or clean-cut. It's just another day for gay men, facing grown-up issues like relationships, jobs, friends, money, health and mothers who want grandchildren. There's no big conspicuous acting or laugh-out-loud comedy. The story is propelled by human drama, but it doesn't feel like a burden to watch. Its realistic portrayal provides a refreshing assurance that these are just other human lives, not far-fetched fantasies.
SOMETHING TO READ
It's that time of year again, when the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center becomes packed with bookworms of all ages and genders. The 44th National Book Fair is set to commence tomorrow until April 10. Queer novels, though limited, will be available at the fair. And it's a good chance to browse the selections of publishers who don't have proper shops or even a space for selling their books in mainstream stores. Many have been relying exclusively on online shopping to conduct business. The book fair is most likely their only chance for a public outing.
Some publishers of queer novels that will be setting up stalls at the fair are Sapaan (at stall number C1 N14), Seemuang On (C2 R44), Nabu (Ballroom Y12) and 2 Beloved (Plenary D11). These novels -- which can be anything from teen-friendly to sexy adult romance that would make Fifty Shades Of Grey fans blush -- are written by Thai authors and released in the Thai language.
Sapaan -- long-time publisher of Thai lesbian novels -- has also been trying to acquire rights to translate international lesbian stories for Thai readers. I Can't Think Straight by Shamim Sarif, a novel which was adapted into a 2008 film of the same name, was translated into Thai and will be available for a discount at the book fair.
The publisher's next attempt at translation will be Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, by Jeannette Winterson. Sapaan has also been trying to acquire the translation rights for The Price Of Salt -- a book that was turned into the Oscar-nominated Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara romance Carol -- for several years, according to the publisher's recent post on Facebook. Here's hoping the negotiations will finally go through, so Thai readers can fully appreciate and enjoy the books in our very own language.
Contact melalinm@bangkokpost.co.th with news and views about LGBTIQ.
